Sunday, October 21, 2007
things to do
Next piece is after Linda...a customer gets ill, linda goes crazy paranoid about blaming her cooking. The health department, hospital are contacted but phones? or becoming hectic at those places? causes no one to visit the cafe.
Jessica, nurse, at the hospital. Single, good worker, about 35, intelligent.
The city goes crazy and dies.
Rob called on his cell phone on the way to work, sent on assignment.
Bio some people going crazy, the early odd behavior. Then some sudden insane actions, some that Rob and Jessica observe directly, other actions out of their scenes.
Do a historical outline of ergot poisoning.
Create an outdoor cat, bio her life before the crash.
Bio....mountain lion, coyote, others....before and after the crash.
Jessica, nurse, at the hospital. Single, good worker, about 35, intelligent.
The city goes crazy and dies.
Rob called on his cell phone on the way to work, sent on assignment.
Bio some people going crazy, the early odd behavior. Then some sudden insane actions, some that Rob and Jessica observe directly, other actions out of their scenes.
Do a historical outline of ergot poisoning.
Create an outdoor cat, bio her life before the crash.
Bio....mountain lion, coyote, others....before and after the crash.
Rob Barkstone
Robert Raymond Johnson woke to his cell phone alarm and turned it off quickly. He didn't want to wake Cathleen so early in the morning, he thought naturally. He allowed himself a five minute half dreaming/half thinking relaxation moment. Rob was predicting his future as he thought about his next immediate moves, for instance, putting his feet on the ground and retrieving the clothes he set out last night. He half dreamed his drive to work, his morning meeting, his next assignment, and fleeting pictures in his mind of possible events in his day. Finally he concentrated on the thoughts about actually getting out of bed.
He began his routine. Stand up, grab the clothes, wallet, cell phone, his daily items. Moving to the bathroom he went on with his rituals. The shower was his ...... The long, hot shower woke his brain up and his mind was predicting things again. Dry off, do the sink stuff, dress and get on to the other rooms of the house. In the kitchen he made a bowl of cereal, ate it and grabbed three bottles of water from the fridge and left them on the kitchen table. In the home office he found his duffle bag and laptop and went back to the kitchen table, leaving them there. Rob went outside to the patio in the backyard for a few more minutes to relax.
As he sat there quietly he sipped his water. He produced a joint and lit it. Rob knew he should give up pot, but it helped him get through the day. He rationalized that smoking dope was no different than some of his co-workers and their prescription drugs, their happy pills. Everyone seemed to have an addiction, coffee fiends were everywhere, cigarette smokers, nicotine gum chewers, drinkers, his professional group had addictions he thought. Besides, he only smoked one doob all day, he just took small breaks for a few hits. This was the first break, another chance to do more prophetizing about what his day would be like.
He loved his job and liked most of his colleages. He thought about what little joke he would tell Judy, something related to yesterday he predicted. He remembered that Sam was driving today and smiled, Sam was the best truck operator the station had. His mind drifted to the meeting, and he was guessing what story might be his. That city council meeting that got so heated yesterday? He hoped for something related to the Tigers, the team was in a good pennant race and he loved baseball, but he also knew he was the top reporter today and would be expected to cover the hottest story. He wondered if he could get over to the stadium for a quick story after whatever assignment he first got.
Rob carefully stubbed out the joint and put it away to take with him. He lit a cigarette and sipped water. He only smoked about four or five cigarettes a day, this was the starter. Rob now thought about history, somehow his mind had jumped to yesterday's story. It hadn't gone well. Interviewing the policeman at that gas station explosion was strange. "The man seemed to have a breakdown right in front of me." In mid-interview Sgt. Friday started talking some sort of gibberish. Rob laughed at that for a moment, a policeman named Sgt. Friday, what were the chances? Certainly it helped Rob remember his name compared to so many cops he interviewed. Some of the other officers came and got Friday and told us we couldn't use the tape, Rob recalled.
He also thought about his wife and family. Cath was great, the two kids he loved like nothing else. He wished he had more time for them, he expected that his next promotion would yield more personal time. The kids deserved more attention and Rob wanted to give it. As a top beat reporter there would be fewer assignments and a little more family time. Rob was in line for the top tier and everyone at the station knew Rob was probably going to replace his own mentor. He had mixed feelings about that. Tom Westerling showed him the ropes and Rob became his fan. Ol' Tom had been all over the town and this was his third station over the 40 or so years.
Time to move. Rob went back inside, collected up the stuff on the kitchen table and began to head for the door. He noticed his dog was giving him "the look" so Rob hooked him up to leash and let him out. He wished he had time for ---Bruno--- but he needed to get moving. While the dog did his thing in the backyard, Rob loaded the car. He called for Bruno who was excited to see him and wanted to play. Rob rubbed Bruno's back for a minute and then let him in the door.
Getting in the car, Rob
He began his routine. Stand up, grab the clothes, wallet, cell phone, his daily items. Moving to the bathroom he went on with his rituals. The shower was his ...... The long, hot shower woke his brain up and his mind was predicting things again. Dry off, do the sink stuff, dress and get on to the other rooms of the house. In the kitchen he made a bowl of cereal, ate it and grabbed three bottles of water from the fridge and left them on the kitchen table. In the home office he found his duffle bag and laptop and went back to the kitchen table, leaving them there. Rob went outside to the patio in the backyard for a few more minutes to relax.
As he sat there quietly he sipped his water. He produced a joint and lit it. Rob knew he should give up pot, but it helped him get through the day. He rationalized that smoking dope was no different than some of his co-workers and their prescription drugs, their happy pills. Everyone seemed to have an addiction, coffee fiends were everywhere, cigarette smokers, nicotine gum chewers, drinkers, his professional group had addictions he thought. Besides, he only smoked one doob all day, he just took small breaks for a few hits. This was the first break, another chance to do more prophetizing about what his day would be like.
He loved his job and liked most of his colleages. He thought about what little joke he would tell Judy, something related to yesterday he predicted. He remembered that Sam was driving today and smiled, Sam was the best truck operator the station had. His mind drifted to the meeting, and he was guessing what story might be his. That city council meeting that got so heated yesterday? He hoped for something related to the Tigers, the team was in a good pennant race and he loved baseball, but he also knew he was the top reporter today and would be expected to cover the hottest story. He wondered if he could get over to the stadium for a quick story after whatever assignment he first got.
Rob carefully stubbed out the joint and put it away to take with him. He lit a cigarette and sipped water. He only smoked about four or five cigarettes a day, this was the starter. Rob now thought about history, somehow his mind had jumped to yesterday's story. It hadn't gone well. Interviewing the policeman at that gas station explosion was strange. "The man seemed to have a breakdown right in front of me." In mid-interview Sgt. Friday started talking some sort of gibberish. Rob laughed at that for a moment, a policeman named Sgt. Friday, what were the chances? Certainly it helped Rob remember his name compared to so many cops he interviewed. Some of the other officers came and got Friday and told us we couldn't use the tape, Rob recalled.
He also thought about his wife and family. Cath was great, the two kids he loved like nothing else. He wished he had more time for them, he expected that his next promotion would yield more personal time. The kids deserved more attention and Rob wanted to give it. As a top beat reporter there would be fewer assignments and a little more family time. Rob was in line for the top tier and everyone at the station knew Rob was probably going to replace his own mentor. He had mixed feelings about that. Tom Westerling showed him the ropes and Rob became his fan. Ol' Tom had been all over the town and this was his third station over the 40 or so years.
Time to move. Rob went back inside, collected up the stuff on the kitchen table and began to head for the door. He noticed his dog was giving him "the look" so Rob hooked him up to leash and let him out. He wished he had time for ---Bruno--- but he needed to get moving. While the dog did his thing in the backyard, Rob loaded the car. He called for Bruno who was excited to see him and wanted to play. Rob rubbed Bruno's back for a minute and then let him in the door.
Getting in the car, Rob
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Bruno's plight
Bruno was slowly pacing in the living room. His senses knew something wasn't right. Bruno wondered why his people hadn't returned yet. He was listening for the familiar noises outside of the house that usually indicated the people were going to come inside, greet him and fill his food bowl. Bruno was quite hungry. He had a water source, the dripping bathroom sink which he had figured out this morning to simply lift up his front paws to the edge of the sink and lick the slow drips and any water in the basin. Now he resumed smelling around for something to eat after checking his food bowl once again.
Today was the first day Bruno had been scavaging around to satisfy his hunger. He was regretting finishing off the food in the bowl in the middle of the second day, he had been so used to the people's timetable. They just had never been gone this long and Bruno worried. After three days of captivity within the house Bruno had been pooping and peeing in one of the bedrooms and he knew he would have to start to do that in a different area of the house soon, instinct told him so. Bruno also knew he was changing his routines and habits, it seemed so disruptive to him.
Always he paid attention to his sense of hearing. It had been sometime yesterday that he realized that the noise of the traveling machines the people moved about in were almost completely quiet. Occasionally he still heard the rush of a traveling machine in the distance and with his good aural sense knew it wasn't related to his people.
He was feeling lonely for his people and was understanding the reliance he had on them. He missed them all and the mom he missed the most who changed his water and filled his bowl. Bruno's memory flitted between the images of the people, the first boy ruffling his fur, the Dad playing tug the rope, and the second boy doing the tricks for treats routine. Bruno was missing the exciting events such as riding in the traveling machine with the mom on her errands, and the mundane things like doing a walk-around to check on the safety of the home.
Bruno finally laid down on his usual night time sleeping mat. It was a soft mat and provided warmth, but being that it was early autumn he wasn't worried about temperature. He began to dream, a fitful sleep as his hearing alerted him to the lack of outside background noise that was normal during the night. He woke often.
This time after coming out of sleep he gave into the urge he had, his thoughts about calling for help. Bruno never howled because the people didn't like him too. Even when they weren't in the house his training to resist the instinct prevailed . Now he gave in and began a mournful howl. He did this and then barked before every new call. Then he listened. Yes, faintly he heard the dog a few houses down. He understood his neighbor, Spiker, telling him the same things he already knew for his own situation. Spiker's people had been gone too long as well and he was also wondering what to do.
He called out to Spiker and told his own story. He stopped barking and began to think as Spiker related Bruno's story over to a farther house for Sheena to know. Now Bruno knew that the situation wasn't good, it seems all the people have failed to return to their houses. Familiar routines were completely disrupted and Bruno now thought that some plans needed to be made for the future. He laid back down to think and to get some more sleep. Tomorrow he decided it would be good to see if he could escape the house. His instinct wanted to gather with his own kind and seek food and water. Bruno sensed deep down that he and the other dogs could be in trouble.
~~~~~~~~~
Today was the first day Bruno had been scavaging around to satisfy his hunger. He was regretting finishing off the food in the bowl in the middle of the second day, he had been so used to the people's timetable. They just had never been gone this long and Bruno worried. After three days of captivity within the house Bruno had been pooping and peeing in one of the bedrooms and he knew he would have to start to do that in a different area of the house soon, instinct told him so. Bruno also knew he was changing his routines and habits, it seemed so disruptive to him.
Always he paid attention to his sense of hearing. It had been sometime yesterday that he realized that the noise of the traveling machines the people moved about in were almost completely quiet. Occasionally he still heard the rush of a traveling machine in the distance and with his good aural sense knew it wasn't related to his people.
He was feeling lonely for his people and was understanding the reliance he had on them. He missed them all and the mom he missed the most who changed his water and filled his bowl. Bruno's memory flitted between the images of the people, the first boy ruffling his fur, the Dad playing tug the rope, and the second boy doing the tricks for treats routine. Bruno was missing the exciting events such as riding in the traveling machine with the mom on her errands, and the mundane things like doing a walk-around to check on the safety of the home.
Bruno finally laid down on his usual night time sleeping mat. It was a soft mat and provided warmth, but being that it was early autumn he wasn't worried about temperature. He began to dream, a fitful sleep as his hearing alerted him to the lack of outside background noise that was normal during the night. He woke often.
This time after coming out of sleep he gave into the urge he had, his thoughts about calling for help. Bruno never howled because the people didn't like him too. Even when they weren't in the house his training to resist the instinct prevailed . Now he gave in and began a mournful howl. He did this and then barked before every new call. Then he listened. Yes, faintly he heard the dog a few houses down. He understood his neighbor, Spiker, telling him the same things he already knew for his own situation. Spiker's people had been gone too long as well and he was also wondering what to do.
He called out to Spiker and told his own story. He stopped barking and began to think as Spiker related Bruno's story over to a farther house for Sheena to know. Now Bruno knew that the situation wasn't good, it seems all the people have failed to return to their houses. Familiar routines were completely disrupted and Bruno now thought that some plans needed to be made for the future. He laid back down to think and to get some more sleep. Tomorrow he decided it would be good to see if he could escape the house. His instinct wanted to gather with his own kind and seek food and water. Bruno sensed deep down that he and the other dogs could be in trouble.
~~~~~~~~~
Sunday, October 07, 2007
novel one
"Have you approached the results we need?"
"Yes, Grannor. The team is doing modifications as the simulation programs finish. We are hoping to have the finished product within a few rotates of time."
"Thank you and I will study the results you have now." Grannor gave the sign for his leaving and moved on. In thought he reviewed the options. The most likely best choice was always the same, an extinction event. Ever since finding this world and then monitoring it, Grannor suspected that they would have to vastly reduce the population. The trick would be to achieve near extinction, but also have barest survival. Not total extermination and with zero addition growth. He knew that the final decision was a mere show. The Conference Panel had already debated all the options in mock trials, and he wasn't aware of any member that had a different proposal or at least a strong case for another choice. Grannor moved down toward his splace, lost in thought about the planned Species Population Adjustment.
Grannor entered his splace and immediately went to his lounge station. Activating the stimulscreen, he returned to his earlier thoughts. This was an important project for him and he wanted it to go as planned without many after event changes. He remembered the last Species Population Adjustment project he was involved in. Planet Gpx-1260 was to become known as Mixed Results, it didn't go well. Although Grannor wasn't the project leader, he blamed himself for a few mistakes even though his errors didn't affect the major miscalculation . The simulation programs were rushed against his objections. And no one expected such a dormant species to fill the void left by the species adjustment made to the flythings. It took plenty of after applications to even near correcting the mistakes. Grannor vowed for that not to happen this time.
Mixed Results caused the demotion of Fraddus. As the ranking second Grannor was moved to first for this assignment. He felt the pressure sometimes. He was a perfectionist but time was becoming short and the Conference Panel was becoming impatient for the initiation phase. The lab team had said just a few more rotates of time. If final modifications went as expected, Grannor could begin the extinction event on schedule. He focused on the simulscreen as the latest lab results were displayed. He relaxed as nothing was shown to be a caution investigation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The city seemed to actually vibrate with activity. People making their way up and down the street both walking and driving. The city was a flurry of movement when viewed from above. This was the current result of the rise of the human species. Huge metropolitan areas developed so that humans had things to do. Not that the cities were the only human achievement, but from an elevated perspective a city can be seen as a human paradox of chaos and order.
"Yes, Grannor. The team is doing modifications as the simulation programs finish. We are hoping to have the finished product within a few rotates of time."
"Thank you and I will study the results you have now." Grannor gave the sign for his leaving and moved on. In thought he reviewed the options. The most likely best choice was always the same, an extinction event. Ever since finding this world and then monitoring it, Grannor suspected that they would have to vastly reduce the population. The trick would be to achieve near extinction, but also have barest survival. Not total extermination and with zero addition growth. He knew that the final decision was a mere show. The Conference Panel had already debated all the options in mock trials, and he wasn't aware of any member that had a different proposal or at least a strong case for another choice. Grannor moved down toward his splace, lost in thought about the planned Species Population Adjustment.
Grannor entered his splace and immediately went to his lounge station. Activating the stimulscreen, he returned to his earlier thoughts. This was an important project for him and he wanted it to go as planned without many after event changes. He remembered the last Species Population Adjustment project he was involved in. Planet Gpx-1260 was to become known as Mixed Results, it didn't go well. Although Grannor wasn't the project leader, he blamed himself for a few mistakes even though his errors didn't affect the major miscalculation . The simulation programs were rushed against his objections. And no one expected such a dormant species to fill the void left by the species adjustment made to the flythings. It took plenty of after applications to even near correcting the mistakes. Grannor vowed for that not to happen this time.
Mixed Results caused the demotion of Fraddus. As the ranking second Grannor was moved to first for this assignment. He felt the pressure sometimes. He was a perfectionist but time was becoming short and the Conference Panel was becoming impatient for the initiation phase. The lab team had said just a few more rotates of time. If final modifications went as expected, Grannor could begin the extinction event on schedule. He focused on the simulscreen as the latest lab results were displayed. He relaxed as nothing was shown to be a caution investigation.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The city seemed to actually vibrate with activity. People making their way up and down the street both walking and driving. The city was a flurry of movement when viewed from above. This was the current result of the rise of the human species. Huge metropolitan areas developed so that humans had things to do. Not that the cities were the only human achievement, but from an elevated perspective a city can be seen as a human paradox of chaos and order.
